Letterbox surprises
In all my life, probably three people have written to me. Probably.
But's it's always great to receive post - I get excited even when I get a bill to my name, though the feelings change considerably depending on what's the figure in the envelope.
Last week, I wrote to a friend studying in another country. I just felt really overwhelmed and I knew that the only release would be to pen it down. Sure, I could have called her but international calls are really expensive to broke students in a gap year. Facebook messages are inundated with stupid emoticons with over-stuffed, disturbingly red hearts. Whatsapp JUST doesn't do it right with the blue ticks and the "Online" but not replying status and hey - who is going to type 8 pages worth of information on a tiny screen? I would probably dismiss it as a forward and not check it for months.
So, I sat down, found a half-used Sociology notebook and wrote. Simply spilled words, pausing, crossing out things, re-writing, editing and heaving a sigh of relief when I finished. It felt like a load had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt wonderfully empty and at at the same, I felt comforted that I still had words to express myself. For really, in this age of sophisticated communication, my education and my habits have reduced me to a blubber who fumbles for the right words when it comes to anything longer than 160 characters. I had great difficulty writing my application and scholarship letters, often turning to Google, searching for the right synonyms of words to sound a tad bit smarter. On the other hand, knowing I was writing to a dear old trusted friend, the words came more easily. I put thought into what I wanted to say and how I wanted it to come across. When did I do that last while typing a Whatsapp message? Those annoying blue ticks that symbolize that your message was read, the "online" status of the other person in the chat - these things put an unnecessary compulsion to reply immediately and so often, you regret a message sent halfheartedly.
I don't deny the benefits of Whatsapp / text message / mail. However, they are so instantaneous, they've taken the drama out of communication. So, I have decided to utilize this month to write letters to people. People I speak to on a daily basis, occasionally, people I speak to only on their birthdays, people I spoke to a decade back - it doesn't matter. I want to reach out. I want to write some random thing on a pretty piece of stationery, staining and indenting my fingers with the ink of a fountain pen, just putting my thoughts down, listening to some Bastille/ Mumford & Sons / Eric Clapton, sip coffee in my over-sized Disney mug ; and ultimately give a friend this old-fashioned experience. So much joy!
Today morning, I posted a status to that effect on Facebook.
In all my life, probably three people have written to me. Probably.
But's it's always great to receive post - I get excited even when I get a bill to my name, though the feelings change considerably depending on what's the figure in the envelope.
Last week, I wrote to a friend studying in another country. I just felt really overwhelmed and I knew that the only release would be to pen it down. Sure, I could have called her but international calls are really expensive to broke students in a gap year. Facebook messages are inundated with stupid emoticons with over-stuffed, disturbingly red hearts. Whatsapp JUST doesn't do it right with the blue ticks and the "Online" but not replying status and hey - who is going to type 8 pages worth of information on a tiny screen? I would probably dismiss it as a forward and not check it for months.
So, I sat down, found a half-used Sociology notebook and wrote. Simply spilled words, pausing, crossing out things, re-writing, editing and heaving a sigh of relief when I finished. It felt like a load had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt wonderfully empty and at at the same, I felt comforted that I still had words to express myself. For really, in this age of sophisticated communication, my education and my habits have reduced me to a blubber who fumbles for the right words when it comes to anything longer than 160 characters. I had great difficulty writing my application and scholarship letters, often turning to Google, searching for the right synonyms of words to sound a tad bit smarter. On the other hand, knowing I was writing to a dear old trusted friend, the words came more easily. I put thought into what I wanted to say and how I wanted it to come across. When did I do that last while typing a Whatsapp message? Those annoying blue ticks that symbolize that your message was read, the "online" status of the other person in the chat - these things put an unnecessary compulsion to reply immediately and so often, you regret a message sent halfheartedly.
I don't deny the benefits of Whatsapp / text message / mail. However, they are so instantaneous, they've taken the drama out of communication. So, I have decided to utilize this month to write letters to people. People I speak to on a daily basis, occasionally, people I speak to only on their birthdays, people I spoke to a decade back - it doesn't matter. I want to reach out. I want to write some random thing on a pretty piece of stationery, staining and indenting my fingers with the ink of a fountain pen, just putting my thoughts down, listening to some Bastille/ Mumford & Sons / Eric Clapton, sip coffee in my over-sized Disney mug ; and ultimately give a friend this old-fashioned experience. So much joy!
Today morning, I posted a status to that effect on Facebook.
"Do you know how wonderful it feels to get something in your letter box, that is not a bill or some promotional pamphlet? So,in an attempt to better utilise my brain and time, I've decided to write letters to people. If you'd like a handwritten note from me wherever you are in the world(I mean WHEREVER), I'll write you a letter this month. Inbox/whatsapp me your complete postal address."
I had 13 messages in the first 45 minutes. Many people were confused - "Where will you post the letters?", some creeped out - "what will you write, exactly? we haven't spoken in months!", some messaged with trepidation - "Hey, will you really message me?". But they were all eager, supplementing their address, often so excited that they missed out on postal codes or landmarks. This enthusiasm feels good, really, really good.
It's upto me now. I'm going to stock up on the paper and ink. And every night, I'm going to devote at least half an hour so a friend somewhere in the world feels good. I don't know how long I can keep up with this. Maybe two letters both ways? Maybe more. Hopefully, more. I have received 16 messages so far and there are a few other friends I definitely would like to write to. I'm not sure how many people will reply - considering that someone actually asked me what is the procedure of sending letters. Oh well. One must keep faith.
I'm also thinking of documenting these letters. Maybe scanning and keeping a digital copy, for permanent memory's sake?
It's exciting. A Letterbox project.
Until then.
:)
I'm also thinking of documenting these letters. Maybe scanning and keeping a digital copy, for permanent memory's sake?
It's exciting. A Letterbox project.
Until then.
:)
